On 21 November the Region C Disaster Relief Forum met at the Civic Centre to gauge the progress made as well as to establish the way forward for 2015.
The meeting was well attended by all stakeholders, city departments, emergency services, non-profit organisations and neighbourhood forums.
In his opening address DA Councillor Gert Niemand, who directed the program, thanked all the role players for their willingness to be involved in disaster relief within Region C. He also thanked Dorcas Aid who presented the forum with a pocket size emergency directory that will assist the role players with all the necessary information pertaining to disaster management.
The City of Johannesburg Stakeholders Department also presented the stakeholders with comprehensive Ward Profiles of all 17 Wards within Region C. These profiles will form the building blocks for drawing up Ward Based Emergency and Disaster Plans.
The meeting was concluded with a comprehensive presentation by Ebrahim Hoosen of Flomotion and Niemand on the way forward for 2015. Those in attendance took a decision to establish a Region C Disaster Management Sub-Advisory Forum which is in line with the Disaster Management Act, 2002 (Act nr. 57 of 2002). This advisory sub-forum will meet on a more regular basis and plan to establish terms of reference, formulation of Disaster Management Plans within Region C and to target the three aspects of Disaster Management namely pro-action, re-action and recovery.
The advisory sub-forum will consist of Niemand, Hoosen and Annette Reed of Dorcas Aid. There will also be one representative from each of the departments such as SAPS and Emergency Management Services. Niemand also put out a call to any person or organisation within Region C who would like to be a part of the advisory sub-forum and who can add value to the process. He stressed the fact that this forum will be apolitical and the main aim will be to serve all the residents of Region C. Interested parties should please contact Dorcas Aid (Nerine) on 011 672 9669 before 15 January 2015.
